R
Rhonda S.
Traveler
TravelerAmi's Acres Campground
Closing
Nice little stop off on I70 near Glenwood Springs. When we checked in the guy at the desk told us the property has been sold, is being developed as affordable housing.
Camping near Paonia, CO
260 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Summer camping around Paonia sits at a lower elevation than most western Colorado mountain towns, which means longer access windows and less risk of snow closures cutting a trip short. The North Fork Valley here borders Grand Mesa National Forest, putting dispersed camping within a short drive of town while still leaving room for developed sites in the valley floor with hookups or water on-site. Paonia is a small agricultural town with fruit orchards and wineries, giving the surrounding camping a different character than the ski-resort and national park corridors farther east.
Road access varies: paved routes handle most vehicles, but national forest roads above town require high clearance in sections, particularly after rain when dirt clay softens. The camping season here runs longer at lower elevations, with valley-floor sites accessible well into November most years. Cell service gets thin once you're on the forest roads above town.
Best Campgrounds near Paonia (260)
1. South Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
"The South Rim Campground is similar to other national park campground in that it provides convenient access to park activities and trails, but it stands apart due to the fact that the camping fees are"
"Most of the outer sites are tucked into the forest so there is a decent level of privacy. Lots of deer frequent the area, we saw several on each trip."
from $20 - $34 / night
Check Availability2. Black Canyon Dispersed Camping
"Great location right next to the park! There are plenty of sites and the views are beautiful. Entrance was slightly rutted so make sure you can off-road just a bit!"
"A few minutes outside the south gate of the park. Multiple sites, most of which are on dirt. Paths to and from can be a bit rough for most passenger vehicles. But it’s quite and close to the park."
3. Iron Creek Campground — Crawford State Park
"Great view of the lake but the lake level was down so we weren't as close as you could be but still a great lake & mountain view. I have Verizon I had 2 to 3 bars & could stream Pandora."
"Many vineyards close by. Joe Cocker (rock singer) had a ranch nearby."
from $36 / night
Check Availability4. BLM Cottonwood Grove Campground
"Stunning scenery and right next to the river. The road coming in is not for the faint of heart, but it was very doable in my minivan going slow."
"This campground is a gem as other reviewers have cited, BUT the road in is dangerous when wet as there is a lot of exposure off the edge. An AWD would be ok but still dicey on the downhills."
5. The Campground at Big B’s Delicious Orchards
"Campsites are a small piece of grassy area next to a pond or on an outside loop. Portable toilets only. Traffic noise at night."
"Our only complaint was that it was quite hot (topped out near 100 degrees)."
from $25 - $170 / night
Check Availability6. Sage View Ranch
"Breathing mountain views, walking distance to the town and wine tasting, hanging with goats and chickens, peaceful, safe and definitely relaxing."
"Location is hard to beat."
7. North Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
"Driving through Colorado in the fall there is nothing which can compare. "
"Camped one night on our road trip throughout southwestern Colorado. Campsites over look the canyon."
from $20 / night
Check Availability8. Kebler Corner
"It is quiet and peaceful next to the roaring of the river. Perfectly situated between Paonia (Big B’s cider) and Kebler pass leading to Crested Butte."
"The tent spots were in a different area on the other side of the property a little away from the busier parts."
from $35 - $725 / night
Check Availability9. Bogan Flats Campground Grp S
"Every year, my family (+- 10 people) heads somewhere in Colorado to camp over Labor Day. This year we headed up to Marble, CO and stayed at the Bogan Flats campground."
"Lovely quite campground in the woods next to a river. We stayed on the side away from the river and I wish we had stayed on the river side, but it was still fantastic."
from $32 - $166 / night
Check Availability10. Lost Lake Campground
"Lost Lake Campground near Crested Butte, Colorado, is a hidden gem that combines serene alpine beauty with a peaceful camping experience."
"There are some reserve able sites near the lake, and some first come/first serve sites as well. Also dispersed camping on the way up to the campground."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 10 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 4 hrs 2 min from Boulder, CO
- 4 hrs 4 min from Farmington, NM
- 4 hrs 40 min from Colorado Springs, CO
Recent Camping Photos near Paonia, CO
397 Photos of 260 Paonia Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
The Campground at Big B’s Delicious Orchards
Double Rose RanchJ
Iron Creek Campground — Crawford State Park
Kebler CornerE
Throughline/Coal Creek TH (Dispersed)-Paonia RDE
Overland Reservoir (Dispersed)-Paonia RD
Paradise Campground and Rentals
Twin Lake Dispersed Area - Grand Valley Rd
Lost Lake Slough
Lost Lake Campground
North Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Recent Reviews near Paonia, CO
1386 Reviews of 260 Paonia Campgrounds
- BBrigid K.
ScoutBlack Canyon Dispersed Camping
Very muddy but easily found a spot. Not crowded at all (granted it is mid to late October but still).
Landon C.
RangerHorse Ranch Park (dispersed)-paonia Rd
Lots of open space where you can set up camp. This spot is mostly for elk hunters, although normal folks are of course welcome. Just don’t set up camp next to one of the horse hitching rails unless you actually have a horse. Note that you can only camp here for 7 days within a 30 day window, which is unlike the normal 14 day limit. This area gets extremely crowded in the summer and fall peeping seasons. I was here in mid October and the crowd was mostly gone.
Calvin M.ScoutCoal Creek Road Disbursed Camping
Road Pull-off Only
There's really only two spots further from the road, but that's still only about 30ft away. The rest are pull-offs on the road. Most of the suitable places are in the coal mined area so expect black dust everywhere. I would absolutely not drink from the stream, even with a great filter.
- Magdalena W.Traveler
White River national Forest
Amazing spot at White River NF
Vast Vista overlooking a beautiful valley, quiet, not much traffic going by, clean sites. Easy road to get to, only a little rough with if you potholes towards the end. Any rig can make it. Perfect for dogs but coyotes at night so watch out. Many other spots before and after this spot.
- SSharon H.Traveler
Urban Retreat
Met My Needs
Cheri is a gracious host. She met me and made sure I was setup. Online reservation and self check-in was convenient.
The site is about a 10-15 minute drive with light traffic. It's in a quiet cul-de-sac with plenty of options for walking my dog. An elementary school is 2-3 blocks away.
All-in-all, a very enjoyable stay. Electric hookup was available but I had no need to use it.
It's not an inexpensive stay, but options in Glenwood Springs are limited. Convenience and safety are primary factors.
- SSamantha D.Scout
Kebler Corner
Excellent camping spot!
All the amenities you could ask for and right on the river! Very clean, very friendly staff. A camp store like I’ve never seen before- literally anything you can think of they have in stock from ice cream to full meals, fishing poles, sweat shirts you name it. Oh and as we pulled in we spotted not one but two bear cubs !!!
- Mary H.Ranger
Ami's Acres Campground
Quirky and convenient
What a fun, kitschy place—and a great stopover on our way home from Utah to Michigan. Think RV park built on terraces, with quirky collections and oddities everywhere you look. The guy who checked us in was fun and funny and added to the whole experience. We had plenty of room at Site 7, conveniently located near the bathrooms and office. The bathrooms had an old-cabin feel but were clean and interesting. We were dying for showers by this point in the trip and were especially grateful for plenty of hot water and great water pressure! A good experience at a unique, memorable, and convenient spot right off the highway.
- KKate H.Traveler
Lost Lake Slough
Great!
When we went there were many spots just off the road. The road noise quiets down after 6ish.
Guide to Paonia
Camping options near Paonia, Colorado extend across a mix of public lands and managed facilities with notable destinations like Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Crawford State Park, and several BLM areas. The region includes developed campgrounds for both tent and RV camping, as well as more unique accommodations such as the cabins at Sage View Ranch and glamping options at Big B's Delicious Orchards. Both established campgrounds with amenities and dispersed sites on public lands can be found within a 30-mile radius of town, providing various levels of services and privacy.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping experiences in this area, with many campgrounds only fully operational from late spring through fall. Crawford State Park's Iron Creek Campground remains accessible year-round with electric hookups and water access, though the reservoir water levels can fluctuate significantly during drought conditions. Several campgrounds near Black Canyon of the Gunnison offer different operating seasons, with South Rim open year-round while North Rim typically closes by mid-November. Road access to dispersed sites may become difficult during wet weather or winter conditions. As one camper noted, "The lake level was down so we weren't as close as you could be but still a great lake & mountain view."
Waterfront sites at Crawford State Park receive particularly positive reviews, with campers appreciating the lake views and wildlife viewing opportunities. Sites 22 through 39 are highlighted as prime waterfront locations when reservoir levels are normal. At Sage View Ranch, visitors praise the unique accommodations and mountain scenery, with one reviewer describing it as "a very eclectic ranch" with "everything from buses turned apartments, RV parking and tent plots, tipi with a king bed." In contrast, reviews for Big B's Delicious Orchards campground are mixed, with some visitors enjoying the orchard setting and amenities like the restaurant and cider tasting, while others note issues with site spacing and muddy conditions. Several visitors mentioned the lack of shade at many sites throughout the region, suggesting preparation for sun exposure, especially during summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Paonia, Colorado?
Where are the best campgrounds near Paonia, Colorado?
Several excellent campgrounds surround Paonia. Erickson Springs offers a rustic experience right on Anthracite Creek, just off Kebler Pass Road. It's a basic USFS campground with good hiking access to Dark Canyon in the Raggeds Wilderness and fishing opportunities. Another great option is Kebler Corner, situated between Paonia and Kebler Pass with the peaceful sounds of the river nearby. For those willing to venture a bit further, Redstone in White River National Forest provides quiet, tree-surrounded sites with warm showers, while Oh Be Joyful Campground near Crested Butte offers spectacular mountain views with an honor system for fees.
Is there RV camping available in Paonia?
Is there RV camping available in Paonia?
Mountain Time RV Park & Cabins (formerly Tall Texan) offers excellent RV accommodations near Paonia and is described by campers as one of the most beautiful RV parks in Colorado. For those wanting to be closer to recreational activities, The Campground at Big B's Delicious Orchards near Hotchkiss provides drive-in access with reservable sites and basic amenities. While Paonia itself has limited RV-specific camping, the surrounding area offers several options with varying levels of hookups and amenities. Most RV sites in the region fill quickly during summer months, so advance reservations are recommended.
What amenities are available at Paonia State Park for campers?
What amenities are available at Paonia State Park for campers?
Paonia State Park Campground offers basic amenities in a rustic setting. The campground is located about 15 miles from town and features vault toilets, drinking water, and fire rings at each site. The sites are situated under shrubs that provide some shade but can harbor mosquitoes, especially during wet seasons. While the park includes a reservoir, water levels can fluctuate significantly, sometimes completely drying up by late summer. Some campers experience wildlife encounters, including cattle from nearby ranches occasionally wandering through. For more amenities, Crawford State Park nearby offers more reliable water recreation and better-maintained facilities.
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